Bolt Action - Push Through the Line

Bolt Action campaign Operation Galvanic continued on the soft and warms sand of the Tarawa atoll. This time is was time to fight third game of the campaign. Hard fighting Marines had a task to push through the bunker line which was covering the airfield in the middle of the island. Heavily depleted Japanese defenders were well dug in behind rocky walls and sand backed positions and worst of all in tough bunkers. The scenario was Iwo Jima bunker assault from Warlords excellent website. we have had this scenario played once before, and I have to say I't a killer. Attacker has unpleasant job to rush over open ground to attack bunkers packing some serious automatic firing weapons. And still I really like this special scenario, it's challenging and plays well. Attacker just must go forward and there's no time to do any tactical movement sideways or to stay put and fire the defenders, no you just have to attack all the way through all three lines of defenses in order to win.

So the fight started and this time leathernecks had learned the lesson and just pushed on. First position were attacked right away by M3 Scott and flamethrower team which sneaked close by. First line was taken seemingly easy as well as the second. Japanese had some problems to put their guns to bear so the actual fire Marines were facing was moderate at first. The things started to go wrong. Two squads of Marines failed to understand their command as stopped on the spot. One even stayed put for three turns. This meant that supporting Sherman wondered on its own forward and was forced to slow down. Marine attacking line broke so Japanese were able to concentrate fire on few point squads. Only comfort was the fighter-bomber that hit Japanese main positions twice.

The Japanese started counter attack with cold steel and this killed few advancing Marine squads. Finally there was even a threat of Japanese retaking one bunker. Then the fight was over, Marines had two bunker lines and Japanese were able to hold the last one. Finally game ended a draw.

Japanese main defense line with tough bunker and sand backed positions.

Aerial view of the same place.

Japanese start getting nervous facing the big guns business end.

Marine squads in full attack until this all stopped.

First bunker gets very hot.

Japanese vicious counter attack - banzai! 

Second bunker line breached.

Fighter Bomber hits.

Sherman cover the advance.

Japanese defenders busy firing all they have.

Sherman takes the point to attack the final line.

Last line reached but it stayed in Japanese hands.

This was the spot the Marines were able to push their attack, but they weren't able to clear the bunker in the end, not even with the help of the Sherman in front of it.

Really good, balanced and eventful game and nice peaces of terrain with some finely crafted bunkers.
Tough fight and result was actually clear only on last turn.

What else could you expect for a good game. Next one will be Japanese counter banzai attacks on night of the fourth day of the battle of Tarawa.

Bolt Action - Scenery and more Marines

Along with the feverish Crusades painting I finalized some odd marine BAR gunners and bazooka team and some scenery for the next Bunker Assault game.

Scenery is made to fit fellow gamers excellent bunkers he made some times ago. Bunkers can be seen his blog.

All these new Marines are wearing camo suits, just to play veterans opposed to normal OD clad leathernecks. Now I'll be able to make well BARbarized list if need be.

Officer and BAR gunner behind the rocky outcrops.

New scenery.

Another BAR gunner.

Bazooka team and one more BAR gunner. 

Full new team to set to Tarawa.

Bazooka in good position.

Bolt Action - Shermans on the shore

Last week we continued our Operation Galvanic  Tarawa campaign on the club. It was time for the second fight which was straight continuation of the first. First wave of Marines had hit on the beach and now it was now time for the second wave to breach the Japanese defenses. we got two nice landing crafts in the game for the tanks. The game was envelopment scenario from the Bolt Action rulebook. 

The game was once again quite one sided affair. Japanese stayed in their positions and poured fire on Marines which were trying to cross the open killing field between sea bank and forest line.  Tanks were actually the only asset to be able to break the line to reach the objective and for them,  Japanese had quite many suicide bombers. Those guys tried five times to rush to tanks and always they were gunned down by Marine machine gunners and then sixth managed to reach the target with spectacular explosion. One very nasty incident was, when Japanese FO zeroed in salvo from costal gun and killed full squad of Marines on the spot. Finally mauled Marines were repulsed but Sherman went on and broke the line. The fight was only marginal victory for the Japanese. Here's some AAR shots from the fight.

The beach just before fight broke. 

Japanese defenders wait silently.

Shermans hit the shore with the second wave.

Tank acquiring target.

Marine squad rushing ahead just before they were blown to oblivion by the artillery.

Second squad following.

All beach is filled with Marines.

Tanks and infantry supporting each other.

Japanese stick to their positions and fire like no tomorrow.

This time I got lucky with my machine gunner.

Japanese positons on the high ground.

Officer with iconic Katana.

First soft cover reached.

Finally one suicide bomber reached the target.

Next and third game will be Bunker Assault where Marines are attacking through three defensive lines with some bunkers.

The Crescent & The Cross - First Muslims and even more crusaders

After almost weeks absence from painting table I was more than happy to have a sit and finalize my first muslim miniatures. The are Gripping Beasts arabic archers set. This is my first unit of forthcoming muslim army for our Holy Land Crusades campaign about to start soon. I'm preparing to have armies on both sides to be flexible in the campaign.

On painting side with these first arabic archers I started experimenting more colorful clothing as well as textures on them. Well I have to say some are right there, but some ended up wearing quite clownish apparel looking bit like nightgowns. But anyhow next will be much better. I also finished some more Norman crusaders and those lovely old Citadel minis I've been recruiting from Old World to become soldiers of The Cross.

Arabic firing line.

Arabic archers preparing to fire.

Back view showing some shield painting.

Norman miles and his troops.

Od group of late Crusaders from old Citadel stock.

As I told, I'll be soon painting an army of Islam, but before that there will be some Turcopole allies for my Hospitallers.

Club tournament weekend - Talvisota 2015

Last weekend was busy with two day tournament weekend. About 80 gamers from WH Fantasy Battle, Flames of War, Warmachine/Hordes and Infinity games systems gathered together for gaming. I wasn't participating in any games but one of the organizing crew, and there was much to do through all weekend. My special task was to nominate best painted army from every game and organize voting for best painted army. All in all, the tournament went well and the mood through the weekend was nice. Here's pictures of the weekend.

Nice tables of Flames of War game.

Busy Warhammer Fantasy tournament in action.

One of the finest Infinity armies.

This army was nominated best of Infinity.

Best painted Flames of War army.

Really nice individually modeled infantry bases with Berlin defenders theme.

Fine Hordes army with nice winter theme.

Very harmonious colors theme.

Best of the best, Warhammer Lizard men army.

This army had massive amount of fine details and clever conversions.

As well as beautiful freehand painting.

Second Talvisota successfully done, next year again.